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The Concept of SelfCogito ergo sum I think, therefore I amRen Descartes Father of Modern PhilosophyPrinciples of Philosophy, 1644

1What is self-concept?Self-concept may be defined as the totality of acomplex, organized, and dynamic system oflearned beliefs, attitudes and opinions that eachperson holds to be true about his or her personalexistence. Self-concept is how we think about and evaluateourselves. To be aware of oneself is to have aconcept of oneself.

Self-concept vs. Self-esteemSELF-CONCEPT and SELF-ESTEEM are not interchangeable termsSELF-ESTEEM is a separate component of SELF-CONCEPT SELF-CONCEPT ideas about yourself such as how you regard yourself I am good at math.SELF-ESTEEM how you evaluate yourself I feel good about how I do my math.

Self-concept is multifaceted

When does academic self-concept development begin? Some say during early childhood between ages 3 to 5. Some say age 7 or 8 when parents, teachers, and peers begin commenting on the childs academic abilities.But it is agreed that a persons academic self evolves and develops as they age.

Self-concepts fluctuate during times of changetransition from elementary and junior high, high school, etc.puberty may also impact self-concepts. because of the fewer differences between elementary and junior high, it is presumed that self-concepts should remain stable.

Students academicself-concept decreases in junior highResearchers have hypothesized that academic self-concept declines in junior high because of:more emphasis on social comparison and competition stricter grading standardsmore teacher control less personal attention from teachers disruptions in social networks

Self-concepts: academics & aggressionTo raise a students self-concepts, increasing students academic skills is more effectivethan working the reverse. It is assumed that aggressive students have low self-concepts and use aggression to elevate their self. However this is not the case, many aggressive students express adequate, if not inflated, self-concepts.

Visual arts increases self-concepts

Schoolchildren who are exposed to dance, music, theater, and the visual arts appear to better master reading, writing, and math than those who simply focus on the basic curriculum.

Visual arts increases self-conceptsvisual arts instruction < reading readinessdramatic enactment < conflict resolution skills traditional dance < nonverbal reasoninglearning piano < mathematics proficiency With a consistent art program students are more apt to succeed in other academic areas, in addition to developing needed social skills.

WhatCanTeachersDo?The challenge is to reframe and refocus onthe right strategies to foster studentssense of competence and self-worth.Use classroom interventions like peer tutoring and cooperative learning. Minimize feelings of low self-concepts by reducing social comparison cues in the classroom. Change students point of reference when they judge their abilities. Encourage students to focus on how much they have improved over time vs. focusing on how their peers are doing.

WhatCanTeachersDo?Make grades private, not public; do not post grades or best work.Allow students to improve grades by redoing work.Avoid grading that allows only a few students to achieve high grades. Avoid use of ability groups for instruction; make group membership flexible; allow students to transfer from groups. Provide individualized tasks at which all students can be successful.Reduce emphasis on competition against other students; emphasize improvement over the student's prior performance.Lessen the social comparison cues

Self-conceptsinfluence the futurePoorer self-concepts may negatively influence choices and outcomes.Positive self-concepts may lead to higher educational and career aspirations.

Eye Spy-The Matrix The object of the game is to click on the smiling face as quickly as possible. If you click on a face and the screen does not flip to another set of faces the game is not broken, it is just that you have not found the correct smiling face. Keep on clicking through the screens there is an end with a timed score. http://selfesteemgames.mcgill.ca/games/sematrix.htm Grow Your Chi I promise you will laugh, its not easy to catch the correct clouds! http://selfesteemgames.mcgill.ca/games/chigame.htmWham! http://selfesteemgames.mcgill.ca/games/wam.htm

Interactive self-esteem games and they work!